Bronnen

After the Order of Melchizedek: Royal Themes and Melchizedek Traditions Applied to Jesus by the Author of Hebrews.

David J. Larsen
University of St Andrews

The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews presents Jesus as a high priest analogous (to an extent) to the Aaronid high priests who traditionally officiated at the temple, offering sacrifices and entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement.

The Priestly origin of our Order has intrigued me and no less because of the following paragraph in the book “The Temple and the Lodge” (p 16)
“Freemasonry and the Anglican Church have co-habited congenially since the beginning of the seventeenth century. Indeed they have done more than co-habit. They have worked in Tandem. Some of the most important ecclesiastics of the last four centuries have issued from the lodge; some of the most eloquent and influential Freemasons have issued from the Ministry”. (1)

His name was ringing in our ears at the end of Passion Sunday’s NT Lesson. That Passage from Hebrews tells us that Jesus was “designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek” – and we’re left wondering what it All means. We have the choice: do we explore it or ignore it?

The questions which I wish to put to you today are: What does it mean to be a Christian? And am I a Christian in terms of this description? These are big questions, I know, but today is an opportunity to reflect on what we claim to be.

Coming to Hebrews 7, v 1 & 2 we find Melchizedek identified. “For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from slaughter of the kings, and blessed him, to whom Abraham divided a tenth part of all; being first by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is King of PEACE.

During the early years of the history of Freemasonry, there were, literally, hundreds of degrees and orders which have left little trace beyond passing references in Masonic encyclopaedias. Very many of these are known to have had continental origins in the 18th Century; the certain provenance of others is completely unknown.

The first attempt at a history of the Order took the form of an eight page pamphlet which, while it gave us some useful information on the revival of the Order and the founding of Grand College, only scratched the surface.